IMEL is mainly devoted to silicon technologies and
their diverse applications in information processing,
storage, transmission systems and telecommunications,
environmental systems, medicine, healthcare, food
industry etc.
Research Activities at IMEL are structured in 3 programmes,
each of them being composed of smaller projects. A
scientist is in charge of each research project, while
a program representative is assigned for the management
of each programme. The 3 programmes and the corresponding
projects are as follows:

The field of activities of IMEL is
of paramount importance worldwide. Microelectronics
has become a foremost driver of social and economic
progress. The move to nano-scale devices, called nanoelectronics,
further revolutionizes applications. The technologies
developed at IMEL are necessary both in establishing
a distinct and recognized role for the Institute at
a European and international level and in supporting
the national policies. More specifically:

A.
Micro and nanofabrication

Research in this field is essential
in supporting the development of microelectronics
technology, where miniaturization plays a dominant
role, pushing to the development of new materials
and processes allowing the fabrication and proper
functioning of the miniaturized devices.
Novel specific processes and schemes, and related
materials, are also needed in the area of sensors
and microsystems. Furthermore, the recent expansion
of the broader field of Nanotechnology, referring
not only to the fabrication of novel electronic and
photonic devices but also to a large number of applications
in areas such as biotechnology, medicine, health care,
materials, environment, pushes strongly among others
to the development of novel micro-nano fabrication
routes suitable for these emerging applications. The
expertise of IMEL researchers and its infrastructure
provide the basis for the involvement in this emerging
attractive field and significant results have been
already demonstrated. The activity in this area enhances
the impact of the Institute in the national research
environment through collaboration with groups from
other fields (e.g. biology, chemistry, medicine) that
need support in order to launch and/or continue research
effort to this exciting direction.

B.
Nanostructures and nanoelectronic devices

The driving force in this program
is the increasing need worldwide for technological
innovations in Information and Communication Technologies
(ICT) involving R&D which evolves more and more
towards an atomic or molecular scale. The major objective
in either pursuing Moore’s law or finding alternative
solutions is to further increase the performance of
circuits within a given volume, to decrease power
consumption for a given level of performance and to
decrease cost.
Research at IMEL is carried out within EU projects
and it aims at scientific and technological excellence
and innovation, in collaboration with EU industrial
partners. The importance of this activity for the
country comes from the need to follow advanced technologies,
to maintain the level of knowledge in this field,
to support education, to spread the knowledge, to
promote awareness of worldwide scientific and technological
development and to promote applications.

Sensors
and MEMs

The activity on sensors and MEMs is
of strategic importance both for the country and for
Europe. MEMs products have a number of distinguishing
attributes that make them attractive for the advanced
manufacturing industry of the coming century. These
include:
• Suitability for low cost, high volume production
• Reduced size, weight and energy consumption
• High functionality
• Improved reliability and robustness
• Biocompatibility
This activity at IMEL started at the early nineties
and the Institute develops novel technologies, devices
and promotes technology transfer and patent licensing
to the industry.